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Caption:Biltmore Hawthorn
Crataegus intricata / Rose Family
May 2, 2005
This pretty hawthorn was blooming on the Haw Ridge Greenway in early May. It is a small tree. Note the bronze color of the toothed leaves. Flowers in the Rose Family have numerous petals, stamens (male) and pistils (pistils).
Perennial - Tree
Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, Oak Ridge
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Caption:American Plum
Prunus americana / Rose Family
April 16, 2005
This is the small white-flowered tree that is often seen along the roadsides and interstates in mid-April. It is an important source of fruit for wildlife in the fall. The flowers of the plum are similar to the Wild Cherry or Chokecherry, but they are larger and not in a long cluster. I found this tree blooming at the parking area of Haw Ridge.
Flowers in the Rose family have numerous pistils and stamens. The pistils are the female parts of the flower, they are attached to the ovary, the seed-producing part. The stamen are the male parts and contain the pollen-producing anthers. Pollen must be transferred from one flower to another on a plant of the same type for seed production to occur.
Perennial - Tree
Where seen: Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountains NP
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Caption:Smooth Solomon's Seal
Polygonatum biflorum / Lily Family
Length of stem: 16" - 48"
The paired flowers of the Solomon's Seal hang below the leaves. They bloom in late April. The common name comes from the seal-like scar that forms on the rootstalk or rhizome when the leaf falls off. A triploid version of this plant has 3 sets of chromosomes instead of 2, they are much larger and taller than the more common diploid versions. I found these blooming in Oak Ridge near the Melton Lake Greenways Trail in April. In the fall the plants will produce large round blue berries. (See Fruits and Seeds Gallery)
Perennial
Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, Frozen Head SP, Norris Dam SP, Piney River, Oak Ridge Greenways, Savage Gardens, Haw Ridge, Cumberland Trail, Ijams Nature Center
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Caption:Wood Vetch
Vicia caroliniana / Pea Family
Length: To 40"
April 10, 2005
Wood Vetch is a trailing plant in the Pea family. Like most vetches the leaves have a long tendril at the end. I found this one blooming along the Piney River trail in April.
Perennial
Where seen: Frozen Head SP, Piney River SNA, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Cut-leaf Toothwort
Dentaria lacinata / Mustard Family
Height: 8" - 16"
March 28, 2005
Look for the toothworts to bloom in late March. The flowers often have a light pink tinge to the petals. They like rich soil on north-facing slopes. The word "wort" means "plant," the "tooth" part alludes to the white, tooth-like growths on the roots.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways, Haw Ridge, Frozen Head SP, Norris Dam SP, Piney River, Ijams Nature Center
{Formerly known as: Cardimine concatenata, Cardamine lacinata}
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Caption:Common Alumroot
Heuchera americana / Saxifrage Family
Height: To 56"
April 24, 2005
This plant is often found growing on rocky cliffsides. It has mottled leaves with stiff hairs. The flower stalks can grow up to 56 inches tall. See following photo for close-up of flowers.
Perennial
Where seen:Piney River, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia / Saxifrage Family
Height: 4" - 14"
April 10, 2005
The leaves of this plant have long, stiff, widely-spaced hairs. The individual flowers are very pretty, they grow on flower stalks up to 14 inches tall. Look for Foamflower in April in moist, damp woods; it is a common plant. A few "stragglers" may still be blooming in May too. These were photographed on the Delaware Loop on the Northridge Trail in Oak Ridge.
Perennial
Where seen: Oak Ridge Greenways, Haw Ridge, Frozen Head SP, Norris Dam SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Cherokee National Forest, Warriors' Path SP, Ijams Nature Center, Piney River SNA
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Caption:Cumberland Spurge
Euphorbia mercurialina / Spurge Family
Height: 8" - 16"
April 10, 2005
This relative of the Christmas Poinsettia is easy to overlook due to the small size of the "flowers". Since it has a "superior ovary", the Cumberland Spurge should have been designated the official flower of the Women's Movement! The female flower in the center of the inflorescence, called the "cyathium", is surrounded by many small male flowers. Like many other euphorbias, the seed capsule (superior ovary) forms above the flowers (see next picture).
Perennial
Where seen: Frozen Head SP, Piney River, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis / Poppy Family
Height: To 6"
March 28, 2005
Looking forward to seeing these beautiful white flowers shining in the sun on an early spring day helps me get through the long, cold winter! Bloodroot plants have an iodine-colored juice in the roots, which gives them their name. The leaves envelop the flowers before they bloom. You can find large clusters of these flowers blooming in early March, they are one of the first to emerge from the forest floor. What a beautiful prelude to spring! These were blooming in a garden at the University of Tennessee Arboretum. Bloodroot is one of the first wildflowers to greet hikers on the Norris Dam State Park Bluff Trail.
Perennial
Where seen: Norris Dam SP, Frozen Head SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Haw Ridge Greenway, Warriors' Path SP, Ijams Nature Center
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Caption:Rue Anemone
Thalictrum thalictroides / Buttercup Family
Height: 4" - 12"
March 28, 2005
These delicate white flowers bloom early in the season (March, April). All anemones are in the Buttercup family. I found these blooming along the North Ridge Trail in Oak Ridge. The common name, Anemone, comes from the fact that the thin-stemmed flowers move in the wind.
Perennial
Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, Norris Dam SP, Oak Ridge Greenways, Haw Ridge, Piney River, Warriors' Path SP, Ijams Nature Center
{Formerly known as: Anemonella thalictroides}
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Caption:Alternate-leaved dogwood
Cornus alternifolia / Dogwood Family
Unlike its showier cousin the Flowering Dogwood, the Alternate-leaved dogwood has no large bracts and it blooms later in the season. This small shrub is quite common in some areas. I found this one growing in my neighbors' yard in late May.
Perennial - Shrub
Where seen: Oak Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors Path SP, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Star Chickweed
Stellaria pubera / Pink Family
Height: To 16"
April 5, 2005
This woodland chickweed has much larger flowers than the weedy Mouse Ear Chickweed. It is a very common wildflower; it blooms in late March and April. There are 5 petals which are so deeply-notched they look like 10.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways, Haw Ridge, Frozen Head SP, Norris Dam SP, Big Ridge SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Ijams Nature Center
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Caption:Sweet Cicely
Osmorhiza claytonii / Parsley Family
Height: To 36"
April 15, 2005
It is easy to confuse Sweet Cicely with Southern Chervil or Honewort. Note the hairy stem as an aid in identification. The plant is in the Carrot or Parsley family. This blooms in April. I photographed this plant on the Chestnut Top trail in the Great Smoky Mountains Park.
Perennial
Where seen:Frozen Head SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Haw Ridge, Ijams Nature Center
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Caption:Stonecrop
Sedum ternatum / Sedum Family
Height: To 7"
April 22, 2005
This plant, a succulent, is often found on rocks or rotting tree trunks, it likes moist areas. We called these plants "Crow's Feet" when I was young. There are also pink and yellow species of Sedum. In mid-April these can be found along the Haw Ridge Trail.
Perennial
Where seen:Frozen Head SP, Oak Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Seneca Snakeroot
Polygala senega / Milkwort Family
April 22, 2005
The small white flowers look like little butterflies when they open. This plant is in the Milkwort Family. It blooms in mid-April. I found these on the Haw Ridge Trail in Oak Ridge.
Perennial
Where seen:Haw Ridge Greenway Trail, Great Smoky Mountains NP
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Caption:Pale Blue-eyed grass
Sisyrinchium albidum / Iris Family
This plant can have pale blue, or as in this case, white flowers. I found these in a cedar barren along the Haw Ridge Greenways Trail in Oak Ridge.
Perennial
Where seen:Haw Ridge Greenways Trail
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Caption:Golden Ragwort
Senecio aureus /Aster Family
May 7, 2005
Golden Ragwort blooms in the woods in April and May. I photographed this plant in the Smokies along the Little River Trail. Note the two different types of leaves. Senecio spp. are poisonous to humans, goats, horses, sheep, and cattle. The poisons found in the leaves are jacobine and seneciphylline.
Perennial
Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains, Warrior's Path SP, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Large-flower Bellwort
Uvularia grandiflora /Lily Family
These flowers are a darker yellow than those of the closely related Perfoliate Bellwort. These are found along the Panther Branch Trail in Frozen Head State Park in mid-April.
Perennial
Where seen:Frozen Head SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Haw Ridge, Ijams Nature Center
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Caption:Perfoliate Bellwort
Uvularia perfoliata /Lily Family
April 3, 2005
The stem appears to perforate the leaf of this April-blooming wildflower. There are many of these plants at Frozen Head State Park and Haw Ridge Greenway.
Perennial
Where seen:Frozen Head SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Haw Ridge, Ijams Nature Center
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Caption:Yellow Mandarin
Disporum lanuginosum /Lily Family
The flowers of the Yellow Mandarin hang down beneath the leaves, so they are easy to overlook. Look for these at Frozen Head in mid-April.
Perennial
Where seen:Frozen Head SP, Piney River Trail, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Lemon Trillium; Yellow Trillium
Trillium luteum /Lily Family
April 3, 2005
Unlike its foul-smelling, maroon-colored relatives, this lovely yellow trillium smells like lemon. The flowers are non-stemmed, or "sessile." These are very numerous at Norris Dam State Park along the Bluff Trail in April.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways, Frozen Head SP, Norris Dam SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Haw Ridge, Ijams Nature Center
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Caption:Squawroot
Conopholis americana /Broomrape Family
April 3, 2005
This leafless plant is a parasite on the roots of trees, often on oaks. I call it "Bears' Ex-Lax" because it is eaten by bears in the spring as a type of "laxative" to clean them out after spending the winter sleeping. There is a huge area of these strange flowers at Norris Dam State Park, however, there are no bears there to eat them!
Perennial
Where seen:University of Tennessee Arboretum, Haw Ridge Greenway, Frozen Head SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP
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Caption:Yellow Stargrass
Hypoxis hirsuta /Amaryllis Family
This plant is a member of the Amaryllis family, it is not a "grass." These were blooming at the Haw Ridge Greenway in Oak Ridge in early May. I always enjoy finding these pretty little yellow flowers along the trails.
Perennial
Where seen:Haw Ridge Greenway Trail, Frozen Head SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP
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Caption:Dwarf Cinquefoil
Potentilla canadensis /Rose Family
At first glance, this plant looks a bit like a strawberry plant, however, it has 5 leaflets instead of 3. These can be found in the Smokies in May.
Perennial
Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains NP, Frozen Head SP, Warriors' Path SP, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Round-Leaf Yellow; Early Yellow Violet
Viola rotundifolia /Violet Family
April 15, 2005
This is a very early blooming (March) stemless yellow violet I found growing at Frozen Head State Park. This park has 11 species of violets.
Perennial
Where seen:Frozen Head SP, Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors'Path SP
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Caption:Early Meadow Rue - Female Flowers
Thalictrum dioicum /Buttercup Family
April 3, 2005
Meadow Rue is a "dioecious" (single sex) plant, the female plant has pistillate flowers; its male counterpart has only staminate flowers. Pollen is spread by the wind. The male flower is more showy with its long yellow stamens. I found this one growing on the Haw Ridge Greenway trail in Oak Ridge in April.
Perennial
Where seen:Haw Ridge Greenway, Frozen Head SP, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warrior's Path SP
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Caption:Early Meadow Rue -male flowers
April 8, 2005
The staminate flowers are "pollen-makers." Early Meadow Rue is a dioecious plant, meaning it has separate male plants and female plants. This was also found growing at the Haw Ridge Greenway in Oak Ridge.
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Caption:Blue Cohosh
Caulophyllum thalictroides /Buttercup Family
The unusual blue fruits of this wildflower look like small blue lightbulbs in the fall. It is in the Buttercup family. It is very common on the Panther Branch trail in Frozen Head State Park. It blooms in April.
Perennial
Where seen:Frozen Head SP, Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Ijams Nature Center, Piney River SNA
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Caption:Hairy Meadow Parsnip
Thaspium barbinode / Parsley Family
April 24, 2005
Look for this plant on the Cumberland Plateau. It looks much like the Smooth Meadow Parsnip (next picture), however the leaves are softer and more deeply notched.
Perennial
Where seen:Frozen Head SP, Piney River Trail, Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountains NP
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Caption:Cross Vine
Bignonia capreolata /Trumpet Creeper Family
April 24, 2005
These pretty yellow and red tube-shaped flowers are related to the orange Trumpet Creeper vine. Red and orange tube-shaped flowers are often pollinated by hummingbirds. This picture was taken at the Townsend entrance of the Smoky Mountains.
Perennial - Vine
Where seen:Haw Ridge Greenway, Oak Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Cumberland Trail
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Caption:Yellow Horse Gentian plant
Triosteum angustifolium / Honeysuckle
Oak Ridge, TN Haw Ridge
April 22, 2009
I was excited to find this new plant(to me) along the trail at Haw Ridge on Earth Day. As I was laying on the ground focusing on the flowers, oblivious to everything around me, a woman and her huge dog came up the trail. When the dog saw me, he barked and I just about jumped out of my skin! The following photo shows a close-up of the flower.
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Caption:Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis / Buttercup Family
May 7, 2005
Bumblebees often pierce the "spurs" at the end of the petals to steal the nectar. Look for holes or slits in the spurs! Columbines are in the Buttercup family. These can be found on the Haw Ridge Greenways Trail in Oak Ridge.
Perennial
Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains NP, Haw Ridge Greenway Trail, Warriors' Path SP, Ijams Nature Center
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Caption:Fire Pink
Silene virginica / Pink Family
April 15, 2005
These "pinks" are actually a brilliant red. These plants grow along steep woodland trail banks and on rocky roadsides. They are one of the few bright red woodland flowers. I took this picture on the Chestnut Top Trail in the Smokies in late April.
Perennial
Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains NP, Frozen Head NP, Warrior's Path SP, Haw Ridge, Bays Mountain
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Caption:Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum / Geranium Family
April 15, 2005
Wild Geranium adds pretty spots of pink along the springtime trailsides. Bees are attracted to the white nectar guides on the inside of the petals. Note the five-parted stigmas on the pistil. The fruits are interesting, they have 5 seeds in cups at the base of a "storkbill" seed pod. When the fruit ripens the pod splits and throws the seeds upward. Frozen Head State Park has a large number of these flowers.
Perennial
Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains NP, Haw Ridge Greenway, Frozen Head SP, Piney River Trail, Warriors' Path SP, Ijams Nature Center
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Caption:Violet Wood Sorrel
Oxalis violaceae / Wood Sorrel Family
These little plants grow in large colonies from tiny bulbs. Although the leaves look like little shamrocks, they are not related to clovers. These bloomed in Norris Dam State Park in late April.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Great Smoky Mountain NP, Warriors' Path SP, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Little Brown Jugs
Hexastylis arifolia /Birthwort Family
April 10, 2005
The fleshy little brown flowers have an odor that attracts fungus gnats as their pollinators. Ants spread the ripened seeds in the fall. The seeds have a sticky coating that ants like to eat. The evergreen leaves have a very spicy, sassafras-like aroma, pinch a tiny piece off and sniff it. I photographed these on the Piney River Trail in Spring City in April.
Perennial
Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains NP, Frozen Head SP, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Piney River Trail, Oak Ridge Greenways, Haw Ridge Greenway, Warriors' Path SP
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Caption:Climbing Milkvine
Matelea obliqua / Milkweed Family
May 31, 2005
I was excited to find this interesting vine growing and blooming along one of the trails at Haw Ridge. It was challenging to go through my "mental notes" to try and identify it before looking it up in my wildflower books at home later. My "in the field guess" was that it was a member of the milkweed family. I guess years of browsing through wildflower books eventually sinks in! There are 3 flowers in this genus in Tennessee, this one is differentiated from the other 2 by the longer, lighter-colored petals and the conical buds. It has large heart-shaped leaves. The plant is listed as an "occasional", this was the first time I had seen it.
Vine
Perennial
Where seen: Haw Ridge Greenway
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Caption:Eastern Wahoo
Euonymus atropurpurea / Celastraceae
Oak Ridge, TN
May 31, 2005
This is no longer "Mystery shrub #4" on my "Flowers I Can't Identify" gallery, my friend Sonnia in Texas is like a bulldog when she meets the challenge of a new wildflower, she doesn't give up until she identifies it! :) I found this small shrub blooming along a Haw Ridge greenway trail. It has 1/4" maroon flowers. I knew it was related to Hearts-A-Bustin', but I couldn't figure out exactly what it was. I love the common name of this shrub, it is fun to say!
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Caption:Wild Hyacinth
Camassia scilloides / Lily Family
April 15, 2007
I finally found this plant! I knew it grew at Haw Ridge, but I have missed it the past 2 years. As I was leading a wildflower hike I suddenly spotted it. Another new flower for my life list! I really hate to have to resort to using a flash on wildflower photos, but sometimes it is the only way to get the shot.
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Caption:Bluestar; Blue Dogbane, Willow Amsonia
Amsonia tabernaemontana /Dogbane family
I found this plant growing at the Haw Ridge Greenway in mid-April. It likes damp soil.
Perennial
Where seen:Haw Ridge Greenway, University of
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Caption:Quaker Ladies; Bluets
Hedyotis caerulea /Madder Family
These little pale blue flowers with white and yellow centers are a delightful surprise to find blooming on trailsides early in the spring. These were found on the trail to Piney Falls in Spring City.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways, Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Piney River Trail, Ijams Nature Center
{formerly known as Houstonia caerulea}
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Caption:Sharp-leaved Hepatica; Liverleaf
Hepatica acutiloba /Buttercup Family
Flower sepals may be blue, purple, pink, or white depending on the pH of the soil --- a "natural litmus test." Alkaline soils produce blue flowers, acidic soils produce pink, and neutral soils produce white. This plant was the first wildflower I documented in my Wildflowers of the Smokies
book, way back on March 10, 1985! Hepatica is also called "Liverleaf" due to the color and 3-lobed shape of the leaves. These were photographed on the Bluff Trail at Norris Dam State Park.
Perennial
Where seen:Frozen Head SP, Norris Dam SP, Oak Ridge Greenways, Haw Ridge, Piney River Trail, Savage Gardens, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Ijams Nature Center
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Caption:Round-lobed Hepatica; Close-up
These plants are in the Buttercup Family. One trait all flowers in this family share is the large numbers of stamens and pistils. I photographed these at Haw Ridge in Oak Ridge on March 10, 2005.
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Caption:Dwarf Larkspur
Delphinium tricorne /Buttercup Family
April 14, 2005
These flowers are unusual in that they are a very dark blue, not a common color for a springtime woodland flower. I took this picture on the Wildflower Greenways Trail in Oak Ridge in mid-April. All Larkspurs are poisonous to animals and humans, they contain the toxins alkaloids delphinine and ajacine.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways, Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warrior's Path SP, Ijams Nature Center
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Caption:Dwarf Crested Iris
Iris cristata /Iris Family
April 17, 2005
Frozen Head State Park is famous for its stands of these pretty blue flowers. The cultivated Iris is Tennessee's State Flower. This small iris spreads by rhizomes on the surface of the ground. These rhizomes contain irisin, iridin, or irisine and are poisonous to swine and cattle. Humans are also poisoned by these plants if eaten.
Perennial
Where seen:Frozen Head SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Norris Dam SP, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Blue Phlox
Phlox divaricata /Phlox Family
This is a very common spring wildflower. Norris Dam State Park has many of these plants along the Bluff Trail.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways, Norris Dam SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Haw Ridge Greenway, Ijams Nature Center
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Caption:Greek Valerian; Jacob's Ladder
Polemonium reptans /Phlox Family
This plant was growing among Blue Phlox on the Haw Ridge Trail in Oak Ridge and I nearly missed it! There is another similar plant, also called "Jacob's Ladder" (P. van-bruntiae), it has protruding stamens with reddish anthers. This is why I always add the scientific names!
Perennial
Where seen: Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Ijams Nature Center
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Caption:Veined Skullcap
Scutellaria nervosa /Mint Family
These little paired flowers have tiny purple dots on the lip. I found these blooming along a trail at the Haw Ridge Greenway in Oak Ridge.
Perennial
Where seen:Haw Ridge Greenway
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Caption:Common Blue Violet
Viola sororia /Violet Family
These violets have not only the colorful, easily seen flowers, but also "cleistogamous" --- closed, self-pollinating --- flowers that grow near the ground. The seed pods of these flowers later mature, split open and throw their seeds. These were blooming in the woods in Oak Ridge.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Haw Ridge, Ijams Nature Center, widespread
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Caption:Wood Violet
Viola palmata /Violet Family
April 24, 2005
These blue violets have unusually patterned leaves. I found these at Piney River State Natural Area.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways, Piney River SNA, Haw Ridge,
Formerly known as: Viola triloba
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Caption:Wild Comfrey
Cynoglossum virginianum /Forget-Me-Not Family
The leaves of this plant are large and quite fuzzy, very similar to the related (maroon-flowered) "Hounds Tongue." The large, round, flat seeds are hooked and can often be found on hikers' socks in the fall. A close look at the flower lets you know it is in the Forget-Me-Not Family. The flowers are usually a light blue, but they can be white. There were lots of these plants blooming at Norris Dam State Park on Mother's Day.
Perennial
Where seen:Norris Dam SP, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP
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Caption:Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum /Arum Family
Flowers are either male or female; plants can change "gender" from one year to the next, depending on the health of the plant (it requires more energy to produce fruits than pollen). Female plants usually have 2 leaves, males 1 leaf. "Black Jacks" have dark maroon stripes on the pulpit (spathe) and on "Jack" (spadix). These are common in the Smokies in April. These plants are sometimes called "Indian Turnip" because the roots were once eaten by the Native Americans. This is not recommended though, the roots contain large amounts of oxalic acid crystals which can make the tongue swell severely. The roots had to be boiled again and again to remove the chemical.
Perennial
Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains NP, Frozen Head SP, Piney River Trail, Oak Ridge Greenways, Haw Ridge Greenway, Warriors' Path SP, Cumberland Trail, Ijams Nature Center
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Caption:Green Dragon
Arisaema dracontium /Arum Family
Height: 8" to 40"
May 18, 2005
This was one of those lucky accidental finds! I was photographing Veined Skullcap on one side of the trail, I turned around and saw the leaves of this plant. The flower is very unusual and hard to see since it is green (and VERY difficult to photograph, I might add!). If I had not noticed the leaves I would have never seen this flower. Like its' close relative, the Jack-in-the-Pulpit, the flower has an inner spathe and the greatly elongated spadix which contains the flowers.
Perennial
Where seen: Haw Ridge and Northridge greenways
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Caption:Carrionflower - male and female plants
Smilax ecirrata /Greenbrier Family
The fairly inconspicuous green flowers of this plant will get your attention very quickly if you are down-wind of them! They live up to their name, smelling like a dead animal! Carrion Flower is a dioecious plant in the Greenbrier Family. This picture shows the male plant on the left with the stamens and the female flowers on the right with the pistils. I found these growing on a trail at Haw Ridge, one of the Greenways trails in Oak Ridge. Close-up pictures follow.
Perennial
Where seen:Great Smoky Mountains NP, Haw Ridge Greenways
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Caption:Carrion Flower Vine (female)
Smilax herbacea /Greenbriar Family
May 18, 2005
The Carrion Flower Vine smells like a dead animal, just like the Carrion Flower. The difference between the two plants is that this one is a climbing vine, note the tendrils.
Perennial - Vine
Where seen: Haw Ridge greenway
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Caption:Black Snakeroot
Sanicula canadensis /Parsley Family
Height: 1' to 4'
These little green flowers are not very noticible or interesting. These plants can be very prolific where they grow. I found these on the Haw Ridge trail in late April. Some areas of the trail was thickly covered with them.
Perennial
Where seen:Frozen Head SP, Haw Ridge Greenway, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Cumberland Trail
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Caption:Oriental Bittersweet (male)
Celastris orbiculatus
(INN) Rank 1
May 18, 2005
This woody vine is an ecological disaster, it smothers and kills trees and other plants. It has pretty orange berries with papery capsules in the fall. The berries are poisonous and can cause vomiting and diarrhea if eaten.
Perennial - Vine
Where seen: Haw Ridge Greenway, University of Tennessee Arboretum, widespread
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Caption:Robin's Plantain
Erigeron pulchellus /Aster Family
April 8, 2005
These flowers of this plant can be easily confused with fleabane. It doesn't have as many flowers on each plant as fleabane and the flowers are much larger. Sometimes the flowers of Robin's Plantain are tinged a pale purple or blue hue. The flowers are common in the Smokies. I photographed these on the Haw Ridge Trail. Pulchellus means "beautiful."
Perennial
Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, Haw Ridge Greenway, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Frozen Head SP, Warrior's Path SP
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Caption:Plantain-leaved Pussytoes
Antennaria plantaginifolia v. parlinii /Aster Family
These are common roadside flowers. They are multiple composite flowers. The leaves are covered with small white hairs. We called these plants "Rabbit Ears" when I was a little girl. I found these growing in Oak Ridge in April.
Perennial
Where seen: Oak Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warrior's Path SP, Haw Ridge
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Caption:White Beardtongue
Penstemon hirsutus /Snapdragon Family
Note the Hummingbird moth drinking nectar from the flowers. Tube-shaped flowers depend on pollinators with long tongues, such as butterflies and moths to pollinate them. There are many of these plants blooming along Bull Bluff Road in Oak Ridge. They bloom in May.
Where seen: Oak Ridge, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Wild Strawberry
Fragaria virginiana /Rose Family
The small red berries of this plant are
edible and delicious! I found this blooming in Oak Ridge in June. Wild Strawberry is common in the mountains of the Appalachians.
Perennial
Where seen: Oak Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Hoary Alyssum
Berteroa incana* /Mustard Family
The flowers on this plant may not be completely open yet. The leaves are quite downy. I found this plant in my trusty old, taped-together Peterson's Wildflower Guide! This one was blooming in a powerline cut on the Haw Ridge Trail.
Where seen: Haw Ridge Greenway
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Caption:Beaked Corn Salad
Valerianella radiata /Valerian Family
April 16, 2005
These very tiny flowers are sometimes a pale blue. The branching patterns of the plants are paired. I have no idea how the common name "Corn Salad" originated!
Annual
Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, Oak Ridge Greenways, Warriors' Path SP, Haw Ridge, University of Tennessee Arboretum
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Caption:Common Cinquefoil
Potentilla simplex / Rose Family
Height: 6" - 20"
May 18, 2005
I found this flower blooming at Haw Ridge Greenway in Oak Ridge. It might be easy to confuse it with Indian Strawberry at first glance, but it is much larger.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge, widespread
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Caption:Rough Cinquefoil
Potentilla norvegica / Rose Family
This type of cinquefoil is branched and has three leaflets instead of the five that the others have (shouldn't it be called "Trefoil"!?). Norvegica means "Norwegian", so it seems this plant should be a non-native, however, it is native. I found this one blooming at the Haw Ridge Parking area in Oak Ridge in late May.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, widespread
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Caption:Hoary Puccoon
Lithospermum canescens / Forget-Me-Not Family
April 8, 2005
This pretty yellow-orange flowered plant is in the Forget-Me-Not Family. I found it in a cedar barrens area at Haw Ridge in early April. The genus name means "stoneseed."
Perennial
Where seen: Jefferson Middle School Cedar Barrens, Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountains NP
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Caption:Spring Vetch
Vicia sativa*/Pea Family
(INN) Rank 2
This plant is in the Pea Family. Note how the tips of the leaves have thin tendrils that hold the vine onto other plants. I found these blooming in Oak Ridge along Edgemoor Road at the Haw Ridge parking area.
Annual
Where seen:Oak Ridge, Haw Ridge Greenway
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Caption:Spring Vetch- close-up
Vicia sativa* /Pea Family
(INN) Rank 2
April 22, 2005
Note the ant on the stem. These plants have small, round, black "cups" on the stems that attract ants. These glands (extrafloral nectaries) protect the flowers from being entered by nectar-robbing ants. The seeds of Vicia species contain the tongue-twisting toxin beta-cyano-L-alanine.
Annual
Where seen:Oak Ridge, Haw Ridge Greenway
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Caption:Redbud Tree
Cercis canadensis /Pea Family
These bloom in early April. Redbud trees are members of the Pea Family. Look closely at the individual flowers to see the wings, standard, and keel. Bees are strongly attracted to these flowers. I found these in Oak Ridge.
Perennial - Tree
Where seen:Oak Ridge, Haw Ridge Greenway, Frozen Head SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Big South Fork NRRA, Cherokee National Forest, Norris Dam SP, Big Ridge SP, Piney Falls, Warriors' Path SP
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Caption:Canada Garlic
Allium canadense /Lily Family
I found this plant at the University of Tennessee Arboretum in Oak Ridge in mid-May. It has very pale pink flowers.
Perennial
Where seen: University of Tennessee Arboretum, Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warrior's Path SP
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Caption:Nettle-leaf Sage
Salvia urticifolia /Mint Family
Height: 12" - 20"
May 2, 2005
I found these plants growing in a powerline cut at Haw Ridge greenway. The leaves of this plant resemble nettle leaves, fortunately they don't have the nasty prickles. They have a musky, minty aroma. The flowers are pretty with the white nectar guides.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge (Haw Ridge)
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Caption:Nettle-leaf Sage
Salvia urticifolia /Mint Family
KEYWORDS: (Haw Ridge), native, aroma, lipped flowers
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Caption:Heal-All
Prunella vulgaris /Mint Family
May 18, 2005
This pretty little flower is found in both the woods and along the roadsides. I found this one blooming in the Oak Ridge Cedar Barrens. It blooms much of the year.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge, Frozen Head SP, Norris Dam SP, Piney River SNA, Big Ridge SP, Big South Fork NRRA, Jefferson Middle School Cedar Barrens, Haw Ridge greenway
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Caption:Indigobush; False Indigo
Amorpha fruticosa / Pea Family
Aquatic
May 18, 2005
Indigo bush blooms in mid-May, I found this one late in its flowering time. These bushes are usually found near water. I photographed this one growing on the bank of Melton Hill Lake at the Haw Ridge parking area.
Perennial - Shrub
Where seen:Oak Ridge, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Common Speedwell
Veronica officinalis* /Snapdragon Family
May 11, 2006
I found this little plant growing along a trail at Haw Ridge. It has pretty little pale blue flowers.
Height: 4-8"
Perennial
Where seen: Haw Ridge greenway
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Caption:Venus' Looking Glass
Triodanis perfoliata /Bluebell Family
May 18, 2005
The name of this plant alludes to the shiny black seeds. They are not very big, so Venus must have had to look very closely to see her reflection in them! The leaves clasp the stem from which the species name arises. These bloom in May. I found them in Oak Ridge.
Winter Annual
Where seen:Oak Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Haw Ridge greenway, widespread
{Formerly known as Specularia perfoliata}
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Caption:Pale Blue-eyed Grass
Sisyrinchium albidum /Iris Family
April 16, 2005
Pale Blue-eyed Grass is a lighter blue than its later blooming relative, the Eastern Blue-eyed Grass. I've seen a pure white version of this flower in Florida. I found these blooming in the Cedar Barrens at Jefferson Middle School in late April.
Perennial
Where seen:Haw Ridge Greenway, Jefferson Middle School Cedar Barrens
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Caption:Glade Wild Petunia
Ruellia humilis / Acanthus Family
Height: 8" to 24"
May 18, 2005
I found this pretty blue flower blooming in a powerline cut at Haw Ridge. The stem is hairy. Note the nectar guides on the side of the flower.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge
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Caption:Spider Lily
Hymenocallis occidentalis / Amaryllis Family
Height: 12" to 28"
July 27, 2005
I had tried to find this flower in bloom for 2 years. I finally found it blooming at the Haw Ridge Greenway. I had to stand in the lake up to the middle of my boots to get this picture. This is an interesting flower, it has two layers of white "petals" (see next photo).
Perennial
Where seen: Haw Ridge Greenway
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Caption:Nodding Wild Onion
Allium cernuum /Lily Family
These flowers can be a darker pink. I found these blooming along the Haw Ridge bicycle trail in Oak Ridge in mid-July.
Perennial
Where seen:Haw Ridge Greenway, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Warrior's Path SP
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Caption:Black Cohosh; Bugbane - Whole plant
Cimicifuga racemosa /Buttercup Family
The common name "Bugbane" implies that the flowers repel insects, however the flowers are usually covered with bees, beetles, and other insects. The flowers don't smell very nice. This plant has estrogenic compounds, it was once used in Lydia Pinkham's Female Disorder Medicine
to treat "female problems."
Perennial
Where seen:Big South Fork NRRA, Oak Ridge Greenways, Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Cumberland Trail
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Caption:Long-leafed Bluet
Hedyotis longilolia / Madder Family
Height: 12"
July 27, 2005
I found this plant blooming at Haw Ridge when I was on my quest to find the Spider Lily. It was growing between the rocks on one of the mountain bike trails.
Perennial
Where seen: Haw Ridge Greenway
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Caption:Large Yellow Wood Sorrell
Oxalis grandis
This flower is related to the smaller, weedy version that grows in yards. I found this one growing along one of the Haw Ridge trails in late May.
Perennial
Where seen: Big South Fork NRRA, Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountain NP
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Caption:Indian Pink
Spigelia marilandica /Logania Family
The name of this plant is confusing, Indian Pink is neither pink in color, nor is it in the Pink family. It is one of the few bright red flowers found growing in the woods. This plant was once used by Native Americans to kill intestinal worms. It contains the poison strychnine.
Perennial
Where seen: Oak Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Big South Fork NRRA, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Heal All
Prunella vulgaris* /Mint Family
"Vulgaris" means common in Latin. This plant was once used for many medicinal purposes. I photographed these flowers in the Oak Ridge Cedar Barrens in early June, it can bloom much of the summer. Note the tiny black ants on the flowers.
Perennial
Where seen: Oak Ridge Greenways, Big South Fork NRRA, Lone Mountain NF, Cherokee NF, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Haw Ridge, Jefferson Middle School Cedar Barren, widespread
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Caption:New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus /Buckthorn Family
Early settlers once used the leaves to make a pleasant tea. I don't recommend making teas from wild leaves or eating wild plants though, some mistakes could be fatal!
Perennial - Shrub
Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Thimbleweed
Anemone virginiana /Buttercup Family
Height: up to 3'
June 1, 2005
Like many other anemones, Thimbleweed has just a single flower. The "thimble" in the common name comes from the shape of the seedhead after the flower blooms.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Indian Hemp
Apocynum cannabinum /Dogbane Family
This plant has been confused with common milkweed by people wanting to feed hungry monarch caterpillars. It does "bleed" white sap when cut, but the leaf placement is different than milkweed. Also, Indian Hemp stems are tough and stringy, and they branch, none of these traits are found in the unbranching, hollow-stemmed common milkweed. By the way, monarch caterpillars will not eat these leaves. Indian hemp and other plants in the Apocynum genus are poisonous to horses, cattle, sheep, goats cats, dogs, and humans. The plants contain apocynamarin, cynarin, and apocynein. The last 2 poisons are cardiac glycosides which cause irregular heartbeats and can result in death.
Perennial
Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways, Haw Ridge, University of Tennessee Arboretum, widespread
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Caption:Broad-leaved Arrowhead; Duck Potato
Aquatic
Sagittaria latifolia /Water Plantain Family
Look for Arrowheads in ponds and slow-moving streams. The male flowers are the yellow-centered ones on the top of the stalk and the female flowers are the green-centered flowers.
Perennial
Where seen: University of Tennessee Arboretum, Haw Ridge Greenway
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Caption:Toothed Spurge
Euphorbia dentata/Spurge Family
I found it growing in Oak Ridge in mid-July. The plant is monoecious. The leaves turn a brilliant red in autumn.
Annual
Where seen: Oak Ridge, Haw Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountains NP
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Caption:Ditch stonecrop
Aquatic
Penthorum sedoides /Saxifrage Family
I was surprised to find this plant in two different places in one day and it was the first time I'd ever seen it! I found it first in a ditch on the Haw Ridge Greenways trail and then later in the creek at the University of Tennessee Arboretum. Ditch Stonecrop is in the Saxifrage Family. The little fly on the flower on the right side of the plant was hovering, thus the wings are blurred.
Perennial
Where seen: Haw Ridge Greenways, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP
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Caption:Rosinweed
Silphium integrifolium/Aster Family
Since there are 11 species of Rosinweeds in Tennessee, it can be difficult to identify the plants. I found this one blooming on the Haw Ridge Greenway Trail in Oak Ridge in mid-July. Note the small black bee getting ready to land on the center of the flower.
Perennial
Where seen: Haw Ridge Greenway
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Caption:Southern Wild Senna
Senna marilandica /Pea Family
This flower is in the Pea Family. I found it blooming in Oak Ridge along the Haw Ridge Greenway trail in mid-August. The plant can grow up to 7 feet tall. The leaves of this plant are used in comercial laxatives.
Perennial
Where seen: Oak Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains NP
{Formerly known as: Cassia marilandica}
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Caption:Snoutbean
Rhynchosia tomentosa /Pea Family
This plant was blooming in August in the cedar barren area of the Haw Ridge Greenway in Oak Ridge. It has large flat seed pods and leaves with 3 leaflets. Thanks to Sonnia in Texas for helping me identify this "mystery flower!" This is a new one to add to my "life-list." :)
Perennial
Where seen: Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountains NP
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Caption:Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa /Milkweed Family
This plant isn't called "Butterfly Weed" for nothing! At one time I counted 5 butterflies on this plant. These flowers were photographed at Charitt Creek Lodge at Big South Fork in June.
Perennial
Where seen: Big South Fork NRRA, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Oak Ridge Greenways, Warriors' Path SP, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Jewelweed or Spotted Touch-Me-Not
Impatiens capensis /Touch-Me-Not Family
Aquatic
These plants grow in damp environments. The name "Touch-Me-Not" comes from the way the ripe seed pods pop when touched. I found this flower blooming in Oak Ridge in early August.
Annual
Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, Big South Fork NRRA, Frozen Head SP, Cove Lake SP, Norris Dam SP, Haw Ridge Greenways, Oak Ridge
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Caption:Pale Jewelweed; Pale Touch-Me-Not
Close-up
Impatiens pallida /Touch-Me-Not Family
These pretty yellow flowers are related to the Spotted Touch-Me-Not (I. capensis). It lives in low damp areas. I found this growing in Frozen Head State Park in late August.
Annual
Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, Big South Fork NRRA, Frozen Head SP, Cove Lake SP, Norris Dam SP, Haw Ridge Greenways, Oak Ridge, Warriors' Path SP
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Caption:Trumpet Creeper; Flowers and Seed Pod
Campsis radicans /Trumpet Creeper Family
Hummingbirds are the main pollinator of Trumpet creeper flowers. The seeds are located in the long green pods. I found these blooming in Oak Ridge in June.
Perennial
Where seen: Haw Ridge Greenways, Oak Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains NP, widespread
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Caption:Marsh Fleabane
Pluchea camphorata /Aster Family
I found this plant growing in Oak Ridge in a low damp area on the Haw Ridge Trail. It is in the Aster Family. The leaves have a strong odor, thus the species name "camphorata."
Annual
Where seen: Haw Ridge Greenways, Big Ridge SP, Great Smoky Mountains NP
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Caption:Bicolor Lespedeza
Lespedeza bicolor / Pea Family
This bush clover is truly a "bush," it has a woody stem. The plant grows to over six feet tall.
Perennial - Shrub
Where seen: Oak Ridge, Haw Ridge Greenways, Jefferson Middle School Cedar Barrens, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Cherokee National Forest
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Caption:Prostrate Tick Trefoil
Desmodium rotundifolium / Pea Family
This Tick Trefoil grows on the ground as the common name implies. "Trefoil" means three-leaved.
Perennial - Shrub
Where seen: Oak Ridge, Haw Ridge Greenways, University of Tennessee Arboretum, Great Smoky Mountains NP
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Caption:Downy Wood Mint
Blephilia ciliata /Mint Family
This is one of those mints that does not have an odor; I crushed a leaf to check for an aroma. I found this one blooming on the Haw Ridge Greenway in Oak Ridge in mid-August.
Perennial
Where seen: Cherokee National Forest, Haw Ridge Greenway
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Caption:Prairie Rose
Rosa setigera /Rose Family
This is a very lovely roadside flower. It is popular with bees and beetles. I photographed these at Haw Ridge Greenway in early June. This was one of the first pictures I took with my new camera.
Perennial
Where seen: Oak Ridge Greenways, Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountains NP
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Caption:Rough Buttonweed
Diodia teres /Madder Family
This is a common roadside or trailside plant. I found it growing in Oak Ridge along the Haw Ridge Greenways trail in mid-August. It is a relative of coffee, it is in the Madder Family.
Annual
Where seen: Oak Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP
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Caption:Scarlet Pimpernel
Anagalis arvensis* /Primrose Family
This plant was only about 4 inches tall, I almost missed it blooming along the Haw Ridge Greenway trail. It was blooming in mid-August. This plant is in the Primrose Family. The flowers start to close when the relative humidity reaches 80%, it was once used as a "poor man's hygrometer" in Europe. Some flowers close to protect their pollen from being washed away by rain.
Annual
Where seen: Oak Ridge Greenways, Haw Ridge Greenway, Warrior's Path SP
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Caption:Joe Pye Weed - close-up
Eupatorium spp. /Aster Family
Joe Pye was a Native American herbal healer. These plants are very prevalent in fields and along roadsides in late summer and early fall. I found this one in Oak Ridge.
Perennial
Where seen: University of Tennessee Arboretum, Big South Fork NRRA, Oak Ridge Greenways, Haw Ridge Greenways, Frozen Head SP, Cove Lake SP, Norris Dam SP, Pickett SP
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Caption:American Water Willow
Aquatic
Justicia americana /Acanthus Family
This plant grows along lake and river banks. It's worth getting wet feet to see these beautiful flowers! There are 3 flowers blooming in this picture. These were blooming along the shore of Melton Hill Lake at Clark Center Park in mid-May. The plant is in the Acanthus Family.
Perennial
Where seen: Oak Ridge, Big South Fork NRRA, Piney River SNA, Warriors' Path SP, Haw Ridge
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Caption:Limestone Wild Petunia
Ruellia strepens /Acanthus Family
One difference between this plant and the previous one is the location of the nectar guides. This one has the guides on the side, as if the flower grows sideways! This plant just about drove me nuts trying to figure out its' species. My 3-inch thick "big scientific words" botanical manual describes this plant as having flowers "in subsessile or pedunculate, axillary glomerules from upper nodes" and having "glandular-pubescent, lanceolate calyx lobes." No wonder it drove me nuts!!! I took botany as an elective at UT Knoxville 30 years ago when algae and some protozoa were still considered as being in the Plant Kingdom! Things have changed a lot since then! I didn't have to learn all those difficult botanical terms in Botany 101! I found this plant blooming at the Haw Ridge Greenway in Oak Ridge in late May.
Perennial
Where seen: Haw Ridge Greenway
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Caption:Pale-spiked Lobelia
Lobelia spicata /Bluebell Family
Height: 1' to 4'
June 1, 2005
These flowers appear white in this picture, but they are a very pale blue. I found these blooming in Oak Ridge in a cedar barrens area.
Perennial
Where seen: Jefferson Middle School Cedar Barrens; Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warrior's Path SP
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Caption:False Aloe
Manfreda virginica /Lily Family
I almost missed this plant while exploring a cedar barrens in Oak Ridge, even though it is is 6 feet tall! The strange flowers and seed pods caught my attention. Although it is in the Lily family, it does not have large showy petals and sepals. The flowers are quite strange looking! They have large seed pods. The leaves grow low on the ground. I found this blooming in mid-July.
Perennial
Where seen: Jefferson Middle School Cedar Barrens, Haw Ridge Greenway
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Caption:Heath Aster
Aster ericoides /Aster Family
Rare - Threatened in TN
I found this aster blooming at the Haw Ridge Greenway in Oak Ridge in September.
Perennial
Where seen: Oak Ridge, Haw Ridge Greenway
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Caption:Stiff Gentian
Gentianella quinquefolia /Gentian Family
I was delighted to find this plant blooming at Haw Ridge! The flower petals do open at the top.
Annual
Where seen: Haw Ridge Greenway, Great Smoky Mountains NP
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Caption:False Boneset
Kuhnia eupatorioides /Aster Family
Height: 1-4 fet
September 18, 2005
This plant is not very noticable because the flowers are just made up of disk flowers, there are no ray flowers ("petals").
Perennial, occasional
Where seen: Oak Ridge, Haw Ridge Greenway
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Caption:Small-headed Sunflower
Helianthus microcephalus
Haw Ridge Greenway trails
September 10, 2006
I "paid" for this photo with a bunch of chiggers in some uncomfortable areas!
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Caption:Asian Spiderwort
Murdannia keisak* /Spiderwort Family
Aquatic
(INN) Rank 2
Height: 12 inches
September 18, 2005
I found these flowers blooming at Haw Ridge in mid-September in a low area near the lake. They are a type of Spiderwort. I couldn't find it in any of my Tennessee or Southeast wildflower books; I later found out why, it is an Asian exotic. Thanks to my friend, Larry Pounds for identifying it for me! More inquiry on Google led me to learn that this pretty little flower is considered a Rank 2 Invasive of Special Concern.
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Caption:These Evening Primrose seed pods were found at the Haw Ridge trailhead in early March. The pods have split and lost their seeds.
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Caption:I found these beautiful, geometric Ice crystals along the creek bank at Haw Ridge on a frigid morning in late December 2005. I was fascinated at how some of the crystals looked like leaves, others like needles. I had to lay flat on my stomach in order to focus down on the ice. Suddenly, I felt cold; the water pouch in jacket pocket had leaked! :0 Thank heaven for fleece and wicking material! The following photos show some of the different ways that ice can form. Enjoy!
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Caption:During a hike at Haw Ridge in January 2007, I found many different and beautiful patterns of ice crystals in puddles, the edges of a pond, and even the frost on leaves. I thought this triangle pattern was fascinating!
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Caption: I found this "bouquet" of Ice flowers along the trail at Haw Ridge in January 2007.
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Caption:American Caesar's Mushroom
Amanita caesarea
Oak Ridge, TN (Haw Ridge Park)
August 16, 2009
The summer of 2009 has been unusually rainy, so the mushrooms have been quite prolific! These beautiful specimens made my jaw drop when I spotted them along the trail at Haw Ridge. I really liked the way they grew in a stair-step fashion. :)
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Caption:Purple-bloom Russula Mushroom
Russula mariae
Height:1" - 3"
I found this beautiful little purple mushroom along the trail at Haw Ridge in Oak Ridge. It is amazing how many different colors mushrooms can be!
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Caption:Old Man of the Woods Mushroom
Strobilomyces floccopus
Height: 2" - 4-3/4"
I like the charming name of this mushroom. I found it growing in the woods at Haw Ridge.
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Caption:Resinous Polypore Fungus
Ischnoderma resinosum
Oak Ridge, TN (Haw Ridge Park)
October 21, 2009
This strange fungus exudes drops of water in its early growing stages. I found it on a decaying log along the trail at Haw Ridge.
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Caption:I saw this unusual Slime mold growing on a decaying log at Haw Ridge. It was made up of hundreds of tiny orange balls. I was glad I had my small tripod with me on the hike!
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Caption:I photographed this tiny orange slime mold on a log at Haw Ridge with my 105mm macro lens and a 36mm extension tube. It is interesting to magnify these fungi to see the fascinating details.
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Caption:A white Slime mold I found growing on a log at Haw Ridge.
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Caption:Shrew
I found this dead shrew while hiking at Haw Ridge. These tiny animals are voracious eaters for their size. To help them subdue their prey easier, their saliva is venomous. They eat insects and earthworms.
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Caption:I photographed these Opossum tracks in the mud at Haw Ridge, in Oak Ridge. The top print is the front, right foot; the lower print is the rear, right foot.
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Caption:Dung Beetle;
Tumblebug
Canthon spp.
Oak Ridge, TN
June 16, 2008
While hiking at Haw Ridge I saw a small pile of animal scat on the trail and several flies. Suddenly I noticed the scat moved! When I looked more closely I could see three small black beetles under the scat balls. They had to compete with the flies. Notice the flat, shovel-shaped area near the mouth which, along with its flattened front legs, the beetle uses to roll the dung balls. These beetles use animal dung as a nursery and a food source for their larvae. Yum, nothing like poop for baby food! :)
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Caption:Water Scavenger Beetle
This aquatic beetle was photographed in a pond at Haw Ridge.
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Caption:Florida Leaf-footed Bug
Acanthocephala femorata / Hemiptera
May 27, 2007
Although this is called a Florida Leaf-footed Bug, I found it at Haw Ridge in TN! The hind legs have a broad, flat area, giving the bug its' common name. I like the orange antennae.
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Caption:These Wooly Apple Aphids were covering a black berry leaf at Haw Ridge. Notice the long white, waxy threads.
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Caption:Horse Fly
Tabanus spp. / Diptera
This was a huge horsefly that I saw feeding on a horse during a hike at Haw Ridge. Female Horseflies inflict painful bites to obtain a blood meal. Note the small drop of liquid the fly has excreted. Not long after I took this photo the owner squashed the fly! There are some animals that I will kill, if it bites me, I squash it!
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Caption:Robber flies
Promachus sp. ?
I saw these Robberflies mating while hiking at Haw Ridge. The female is the one on the right since she has a larger abdomen with the long ovipositor. They caught my eye when they were flying as they were connected. Quite an amazing feat of aerodynamics! I took this photo with a 70 - 300mm telephoto lens.
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Caption:While hiking at Haw Ridge I noticed a commotion in a nearby tree and saw this dragonfly eating a Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly. Dragonflies can carry prey that is nearly as large as themselves! I took this photo with a 70 - 300mm telephoto lens. Despite their weight, it pays to carry a variety of lenses!
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Caption:I found this dragonfly at the pond at Haw Ridge. Like all insects, the eyes on a dragonfly are compound. The 50,000 individual eyes make up much of their head so they can see their prey in nearly all directions. They are sometimes referred to as "mosquito hawks" because they catch the insects in midair; they can fly at speeds up to 35 mph.
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Caption:This male White Tail Dragonfly (Plathemis lydia)was one of many at the pond at Haw Ridge. I was surprised to see that this dragonfly has something in common with my daughter, her name is Lydia! Male dragonflies are very territorial, they will chase other males away, especially if their mate is nearby. The females dip their tails in the pond to lay their eggs. Sometimes they can be seen trying to lay their eggs on silver-colored car surfaces! The nymph, called a naiad, will hatch from the egg, it lives in the pond for a year or more, eating, growing and molting up to 5 times.
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Caption:There is a lot of action going on in this photo! Note the 5 dragonflies (the red one at the top is partially obscured) and the blue damselfly in the lower right. The female is laying her eggs near the stick in the water as her mate hovers above. Male dragonflies are highly territorial, they spend a lot of time chasing each other! I tried in vain for over an hour to photograph one of the red dragonflies, this is the only one I got. This pond at the Haw Ridge Greenway in Oak Ridge is alive with dragonflies, damselflies and other aquatic insects.
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Caption:I found this well-camouflaged Crab Spider eating a butterfly at Haw Ridge. The disk flowers are infected with a white fungus. So much drama on a single plant!
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Caption:A Male Crab spider
Note the enlarged pedipalps ("boxing gloves") next to the fangs. This picture was taken with 2+ and 4+ diopter attachments on my wide angle lens, so the depth of field is extremely narrow! The spider was running around on a picnic table while we were eating lunch at Haw Ridge. I never pass up a good photographic moment if I don't have to!
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Caption:Ant Mimic Spider
Peckhamia pictata
Oak Ridge, TN
May 4, 2008
I'd seen drawings and photos of these spiders in books, so I recognized it when I found it while hiking at Haw Ridge. It is amazing how much these spiders look and act like an ant. The constriction between the cephalothorax and the abdomen looks just like that of an ant. I noticed the spider moved its front legs the way an ant does its antennae.
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Caption:Bowl and Doily Spiders mating
Kenny and I were hiking at Haw Ridge when I spotted a spider in a web on the side of the trail. Suddenly, I noticed it had WAY too many legs! The 2 spiders were mating! It was interesting to see how the male courted her. Her abdomen was facing upward. The male had the back of his head next to her mouth (a dangerous place to be!). He rapidly beat his 2 black pedipalps on the upper section of her abdomen to get her "warmed up", so to speak! She had a black tube that he would pluck with the pedipalps. His corkscrew-like organs (visible in this photo) would come out of the palps to finish the job. I have to word this very carefully! :) This was a very difficult shot to get because the wind was blowing!
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Caption:Fishing Spider
I spotted this spider walking on the surface of the pond at Haw Ridge in Oak Ridge. Like Water Striders (they are not related), they are able to walk on the surface tension of the pond.
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Caption:A Painted Lady caterpillar
Vanessa cardui
I found this caterpillar in early March 2005 while searching for wildflowers at Haw Ridge. It eats nettle leaves.
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Caption:Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly
Pterourus troilus
This butterfly is a bit on the ragged side, but at least it shows the difference between it and the Pipevine Swallowtail (next photo). I photographed it at Haw Ridge in 2006.
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Caption:This Zebra Swallowtail eluded me as we hiked at Haw Ridge in mid-April 2009. I was able to snap this shot before it took off again.
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Caption:Baltimore Checkerspot(Euphydryas phaeton)
Oak Ridge, TN
May 5, 2006
***An Anderson county record butterfly!***
This butterfly was "puddling" (drinking liquids) on the site of a dead skunk! My friend Debbie and I found the skunk remains while hiking at Haw Ridge. There was fur along the side of the trail but the carcass was gone. Fortunately, the smell was not too bad. This butterfly hardly moved when I got in close to get its photograph, it must have really liked what it was drinking! :( I like the fuzzy orange "face" and the checkerboard compound eyes!
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Caption:I was glad I found this Baltimore-checkerspot Butterfly on a flower instead of a dead skunk! I found it in one of the powerline cuts at Haw Ridge. The following photo shows it with its wings open.
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Caption:There were lots of these Baltimore-checkerspot Butterflies on the Fleabane at Haw Ridge.
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Caption:Flannel Moth Caterpillar
Megalopyge crispa
Oak Ridge, TN
August 17, 2008
I noticed the long white hairs sticking out from under this leaf as I was hiking at Haw Ridge. I turned the leaf over to get this photo. Like other caterpillars in this group, it is capable of inflicting a nasty sting! So even though it may look soft and cuddly, resist the urge to touch it if you see one of these in the woods!
http://www.poisoncentertampa.org/venomous-critters/caterpillars.aspx
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Caption:Forest Tent Caterpillar
Malacosoma disstria
I found this fuzzy blue caterpillar on a tree while hiking at Haw Ridge. It will turn into a brown moth.
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Caption:These Lesser Scaups (Aythya affinis) were photographed during a hike at Haw Ridge in April 2006. My camera doesn't do well at long distances and it is even worse when the subjects are moving!
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Caption:Sometimes I get a special treat when I am looking for wildflowers! This beautiful Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) startled me with its loud "quawk!" distress call as I hiked a trail at Haw Ridge. Fortunately, I had my tripod, because I had to zoom in as far as my camera will go to get this photo. These herons have a short neck, unlike the long-necked blue herons. These birds eat fish, crabs, mollusks, bird eggs, small mammals, young birds, amphibians, and some invertebrates.
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Caption:Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
November 25, 2007
These beautiful birds can be enjoyed only in the late fall and winter in east TN. They are fruit and berry eaters, they are often seen in flocks visiting cedar, holly, and other berry producing bushes and trees. I quickly snapped this photo along a trail at Haw Ridge. The birds get their common name from the small red waxy tips on their wings.
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Caption:This Froglet still has a stump of a tail, pretty soon it will be an adult. I photographed it in a pond at Haw Ridge, a great hiking area in Oak Ridge.
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Caption:Eastern Red-spotted Newt
Notopthalalamus viridescens viridescens
Oak Ridge,TN
May 2008
There are many of these newts in a pond at Haw Ridge.
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Caption:Garter SnakeCommon Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
I found this Garter Snake while I was hiking along the Haw Ridge Trail in early April 2005. It's a good thing I'm not freaked out by snakes, I see them fairly often.
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Caption:Northern Rough Greensnake
Opheodrys aestivus aestivus
September 10, 2006
This little guy was crossing the trail at Haw Ridge.
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Caption:Five-lined Skink Eggs
Eumeces fasciatus
Kenny and I found these tiny 5-lined skink eggs in the middle of a trail at Haw Ridge (they were about the size of jellybeans). A nearby turtle nest had been dug up, only the dried shells of the eggs remained. We saw the skink eggs near a log that had been ripped open. Strangely, it was in the middle of the day and the trail had many bike riders, I don't know how long it had been since the nest had been disturbed. I scooped up the eggs and decayed wood as best I could and put them in the woods near another log. Thanks to my friend and local herpetologist, John Byrd, for help in identifying the eggs.
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Caption:On a walk along the trails at Haw Ridge you’ll see lots of limestone outcroppings that contain fossils of ancient sea animals. Look closely at this photo, you’ll see some nice brachiopod fossils. Limestone is an indicator that an area was once under an ocean. Limestone was formed from seashells that settled to the ocean floor. Over long periods of time and pressure the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the seashells was transformed into limestone. Geologists test limestone by putting drops of hydrochloric acid on it; if it bubbles, the rock is limestone. The hydrochloric acid reacts with the calcium carbonate and releases carbon dioxide gas (CO2).
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Caption:These Brachiopod Fossils were found in a limestone rock at Haw Ridge in Oak Ridge.
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Caption:A Gastropod fossil found in a limestone rock at Haw Ridge in Oak Ridge.
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Caption:Haw Ridge is a multi-purpose area with 22 miles of trails for hiking, trail biking, and horseback riding. It is located on Edgemoor Road, east of Solway Park and Pellissippi Parkway. Look for this covered kiosk in the parking area. See the Oak Ridge Greenways link for more information and map http://www.cs.utk.edu/~dunigan/fohr/hawr-c1.jpg.
map...
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Caption:Haw Ridge is located on a peninsula on Melton Hill Lake. There are nice views of the lake from many of the trails. Much to the dismay of many people in Oak Ridge, a developer wants to build a marina and a hotel in this area. I truly hope our city leaders don't allow every bit of flat, undeveloped land in town to be developed! A new, high-end neighborhood is being developed across the highway from this scene next to the Centennial Golf Course and another high-end neighborhood.
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Caption:This bridge is the beginning of the Haw Ridge trails.
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Caption:The trails at Haw Ridge are rated like ski slopes -- Green - easy; Blue - intermediate; Black - difficult. This is the Rock Garden Trail, rated a black trail.
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Caption:Haw Ridge is on a limestone outcropping. There are a lot of striated rock bands along the ridge.
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Caption:Cedar glades are found in dry, limestone areas. Many unique plants, such as Hoary Puccoon, Blazing Stars, False Aloe, and Pale Blue-eyed Grass grow in these habitats. Haw Ridge has several areas of cedar glades to explore.
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Caption:The north-facing trails of Haw Ridge are carpeted with wildflowers. During a hike on April 15 I counted 45 different kinds of flowers! These flowers are Blue Phlox and Greek Valerian. Some of the other flowers I saw include: Lemon Trillium, Dwarf Larkspur, Wood Vetch, Hoary Puccoon, Robin's Plantain, Columbine, Perfoliate Bellwort, Pale Blue-eyed Grass, Rue Anemone, Early Meadow Rue, Blue Dogbane, Seneca Snakeroot and many more. Wow!
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Caption:The trail on the east end of Haw Ridge begins where the old road ends. Park at the gate on Old Edgemoor Road, then walk down to the river.
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Caption:This was a lovely view of the cove from one of the east end trails at Haw Ridge.
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Caption:The tornado of 1993 took down a lot of trees when it hit the east end of Haw Ridge. Some of those trees are still around. Blowndown trees pull up large amounts of soil around the rootball, over thousands of years these blowdowns help turn over the soil.
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Caption:It was late in the afternoon when we came across this small dock at the east end of Haw Ridge. This is TVA property.
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Caption:This slat bridge crosses a small creek along the trail at Haw Ridge.
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Caption:Take a lunch in your pack and enjoy the view of Melton Hill Lake from these picnic tables at Haw Ridge.
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Caption:These logs and boards show some of the trail repair methods used at Haw Ridge. Low areas get (and stay) muddy and are often damaged by bike tires, horses' hooves, and even hiking boots.
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Caption:The Annual 12-hour Mountain Bike Race at Haw Ridge attracted 187 riders in Oct. 2006. Many riders participated in 4-person relay teams, but some of the die-hard folks rode the entire race on their own.
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Caption:Our son, Curtis, participated in the 12-hour mountain bike race at Haw Ridge in October 2006. I'm glad I don't do his laundry any more! :)
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Caption:The Haw Ridge bike / hike / horse trails cover 20 miles of varied terrain. It is a spectacular area for wildflowers much of the year too. Click this link for a trail map: http://www.cs.utk.edu/~dunigan/fohr/hawr-c1.jpg
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Caption:This rider was one of hundreds of participants in the October 2006 12-hour Bike Race at Haw Ridge.
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Caption:The trails of Haw Ridge are shared by hikers, trail runners, trail bikers and horseback riders. This family came from Powell to enjoy a beautiful May afternoon at the park.
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